A unique and significant area at Tampa’s urban core lies on the Interbay peninsula between Tampa’s Kennedy Boulevard and the MacDill Air Force Base.
South Tampa is, quite literally, in the middle of it all. Tampa International Airport and the bustling Westshore District are to the north, the adjacent downtown Tampa is northeast and the multiple cross-bay roadways extend west into St. Petersburg.
Amid the flurry of activity, South Tampa is a place that its residents love to call home. Longtime Tampans describe a small-town feel with all the big-city amenities. Neighbors grow up together, and newcomers become part of the family.
There is a strong sense of community here that translates into the highly supportive environment. Whether large or small, new or multi-generational, the area’s many small business owners make a point of patronizing each other’s businesses. Collectively, it is a very tight-knit, welcoming and collaborative place for business.
Powerful Projects
A boom of development not only within South Tampa, but also in the nearby downtown and Westshore areas, has spurred a tremendous amount of economic growth throughout the area.
- The Water Street Tampa live, work, play community has completed its first phase in downtown Tampa. The neighborhood is bringing thousands of new residents, an influx of relocating companies and even more visitors
- The newly opened Tampa Edition hotel welcomes guests to stay in one of their 176 guest rooms and suits, enjoy new restaurants and relax at their pool and rooftop bars
- Midtown Tampa, another live, work, play concept in the Westshore District, offers three Class A office buildings and draws numerous visitors to its dining, retail and events
- Swedish electric performance car brand, Polestar, will be opening a new retail location in Midtown where visitors can test drive and buy the all-electric Polestar 2
- Greater Tampa Bay’s top-ranked hospital and a nationally ranked hospital, Tampa General Hospital, is located within South Tampa and is undergoing a $550 million expansion, which is expected to create nearly 6,000 new jobs
- MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa drives a strong defense and security economy throughout the entire region
Fun facts
- There are several large defense contracting companies in the area, including several in South Tampa
- With more than 18,000 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel, MacDill AFB is one of the five largest employers in Hillsborough County
- Hyde Park Village is a notable historic neighborhood with numerous shops, dining, historic homes and co-working space, Hyde House
- A new boutique hotel by Palisociety, called Palihouse Hyde Park Village, is coming to Hyde Park on Swann Avenue, expected to open in 2023
Interested in getting connected with South Tampa? The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community for 95 years. Visit southtampachamber.org.
By Jewell Tomazin.
